K-State Wildcats QB Will Howard has finished seasons strong. Now he gets to open one

Will Howard enters his fourth season with plenty of game experience as Kansas State’s quarterback. He has started 15 of his 22 career college games, including at least three starts each year. He has logged some terrific performances and led the Wildcats to the Big 12 championship last season, plus a New Year’s Six bowl. What’s the big change this year? It’s the first time Howard enters the season as the unequivocal leader of the Wildcats, and he’s set to start a season opener for the first time. “Going into the year having it be my team and being the guy is a big-time difference for me,” Howard said. “I’ve been here for three years and it hasn’t been my time yet. Now, going into the season with the offense built around my strengths and our strengths as an offense ... it feels really good.” Howard has been Kansas State’s capable understudy who has gotten the call of duty each year. Three games into the 2020 season, Howard’s first, starter Skylar Thompson went down with a season-ending injury. Howard started the final seven games, one of four freshmen in major college football to start at least seven games during the pandemic season. Thompson opened the 2021 season as the starter and again suffered an early injury. Howard wound up starting three games as a sophomore. A year ago, Nebraska transfer Adrian Martinez got the opening-game call, and Howard was the top reserve while subbing during periods of injury. Finally, the job became an either/or situation — leading to questions on whether coach Chris Klieman would consider using both, or even get them on the field at the same time. Ultimately, Howard became the quarterback over the season’s second half, leading the Wildcats to a second-place finish in the Big 12 standings and guiding one of the biggest triumphs in program history, over TCU for the Big 12 Championship, the fourth league title in program history. He knows how to finish a season. Now, Howard has been working on how to start one. “In terms of leadership, it lets me be a little more of a stronger leader, knowing I’m the starting quarterback going into the season,” he said. On this somewhat odd path, Howard has some advantages, starting with offensive coordinator Collin Klein. The former K-State quarterback star has worked with Howard throughout his Manhattan years, and this will be Klein’s second as coordinator after turning down offers, including one from Notre Dame, after last season. “He’s been my guy since I’ve gotten here, and he’s a huge reason why I came to K-State in the first place,” Howard said. Together they’ll work developing the next stage of Howard’s game. Like many quarterbacks early in their college career, Howard relied on his legs. Indeed, he posted touchdown runs of 80 and 71 yards in his first two seasons. There was nothing like that a year ago, and Howard looks to become more well-rounded. Last season, Howard was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for a 296-yard, four-touchdown pass performance against Oklahoma State. The best of both disciplines is what he seeks, and at least one opposing coach believes Howard will deliver. “When he got the opportunity when Martinez went down, he really made the most of it,” West Virginia Coach Neal Brown said. “His story, there can be learning experiences for guys on our team and across college football. Patience is a virtue. “If things don’t go exactly the way you want them to go, get to work, get better and be prepared for your next opportunity. I thought he played as good as any quarterback in our league at the end of last year.” This year, Howard and the Wildcats will operate without some of the major weapons that defined the offense. Running back Deuce Vaughn and wide receiver Malik Knowles, who finished 1-2 on the team in all-purpose yardage are gone. But the starting offensive line, led by returning All-America guard Cooper Beebe of Kansas City, Kan., is back. But Kansas State is well-regarded again this season in large part because of the return of Howard, who finally will get to open a season.